JONATHAN HOBBS: There’ve not been many better cards this year than Perry Barr’s tonight, live on RPGTV – it’s a cracker.
Two major competitions kick off.
It’s the start of the RPGTV St Leger, the six-bend stayers’ Classic, which is supported by the M Lambe Construction Birmingham Cup, a superb four-bend GBGB Category Two event. There’s also a handful of one-off races thrown in for good measure.
Star of the show might prove to be St Leger favourite Roxholme Kristof who looked in a different parish in the heats of a six-bend event supporting the Derby at Nottingham, only to be beaten by Blue Tick George in the final. He surely gets back on track tonight.
Let’s have a look at tonight’s races.
Perry Barr
6.26: Two divisions of a sprint grace the card and this second division of the two-bend races might go to Holdem Japan. He’s well drawn outside, is open to improvement and Carol Weatherall’s team boasts a good open-race strike-rate. Tasty Treat for the forecast.
Play: Holdem Japan
6.41: The first heat of the St Leger and the stamina comes from the brilliant Micks Little Gem, but can she catch Smallmead? John Mullins’s bitch was just nabbed late on last week in arguably a tougher race last week. It’s catch-me-if-you-can again.
Play: Smallmead
6.59: There’s huge class in this first heat of the Birmingham Cup with Irish Derby finalist Kilara Icon and Henlow Maiden Derby winner Roxholme Olaf, but the early paced battle between Olaf, Hopes Bullet and Droopys Dazzler might be won by the latter for Angela Harrison’s kennel.
Play: Droopys Dazzler
7.16: Another St Leger heat where Good Champ is respected but might need the run, with the vote going the way of Gary Ferguson’s Waikiki Bullet to set up a decent lead and get first run on Cesarewitch winner and last week’s last-gasp trial stakes winner Aayamza Royale.
Play: Waikiki Bullet
7.34: Gonzo flew round in a prep trial for the Birmingham Cup and is tough to look beyond here – despite the presence of Levante Beach, Geelo Josh and Castell Stevie. Julie Bateson’s dog won brilliantly on Derby final night and Perry Barr is tailor-made for him.
Play: Gonzo
7.51: A trappy St Leger heat now. Mark Wallis’s Avastorm made the final last year and showed signs of a return to form latest. On her day she can set the tempo but also stays well – although a battle early down the middle with Beechgrove Belle looks on the cards.
Play: Avastorm
8.06: Ted Soppitt’s litter brothers Dettori Day and Blackstone Milo go head-to-head here in this Birmingham Cup heat with preference for the latter on a recent 28.15sec trial. Keep an eye out on Irish Produce Stakes finalist Romeo Speedy (ex Drive On Speedy). He’s trialled well.
Play: Blackstone Milo
8.21: Roxholme Kristof can live up to the hype. He’s already winner of the 3 Steps at Sheffield and deserves his place as St Leger favourite. A flying trial over four bends (28.07sec) shows what Hayley Keightley’s dog is all about. Deadly Do Lago is clear best of the rest.
Play: Roxholme Kristof
8.36: Good to see Little Emir back after he made a real splash in the Derby heats, although only his best start will do here. There’s mighty early dash in this Birmingham Cup heat – so might the well-drawn Plaza Lep be the one to catch for Lynn Cook – at a price.
Play: Plaza Lep
8.52: Sheldan looked to be coming back to form with a solid second at Nottingham on Derby final night and could easily go one better. However Southfield Code is a powerful six-bend performer with pace at both ends and Kevin Hutton’s dog gets a narrow vote on his track return.
Play: Southfield Code
9.11: We’re back sprinting now and a clash between two old rivals in Coolavanny Dylan and Geelo Brezza. A slight preference is for Kirsty Grayson’s dog given a smart C&D trial and he could just edge these into the all-important first bend.
Play: Coolavanny Dylan
9.26: The sixth and final St Leger heat and it’s great to see the classy Antigua Fire back, who picked up well in a four-bend trial. However, Heather Dimmock’s Stardom ran a solid comeback trial last week and, if following Piemans Noelle through early, might prove too strong.
Play: Stardom
Good luck all.
@Hobbsy67
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